FAA to cut funds for Tuscaloosa, Dothan airport control towers May 5

The air traffic control tower at Mobile Downtown Airport at Brookley Aeroplex was spared closure March 22, 2013, by the Federal Aviation Administration. (Press-Register file photo)

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Federal Aviation Administration has announced dates it plans to cut funding to 149 contract air traffic control towers.

Federal officials Wednesday announced funding will be cut to regional airports in Tuscaloosa and Dothan on May 5. FAA officials say airport operators have the choice to continue operating as a non-towered airport or continue providing services as a non-federal control tower.

FAA officials say they're prepared to negotiate agreements with airport directors who wish to reimburse the FAA to provide maintenance and logistical services, among others, after the funding is cut.

Automatic spending cuts have moved the agency to close contract air traffic control towers in an effort to meet a federally mandated $637 million budget cut.